Drive towards Tabernas and you are transported back in time to the Wild West as Indian Tee Pees and old abandoned towns appear on the horizon.
FORT BRAVO - This is one for the purists. If you are a Western film fan then this is the place for you. All the spaghetti westerns were filmed here and although it is less like a theme park all the town and reservations are the original film sets.
Visit the bar for a drink or snack and view the gallery of pictures which is a veritable who's who of film stars that filmed here. You can enjoy the restaurant, take horse rides, wander round the film sets and visit the Indian reservation. The can-can dancers entertain in the bar and the actors re enact scenes from the Wild West on horseback. There are some magnificent stunts and displays of horsemanship.
MINI HOLLYWOOD - The Wild West theme park with its own zoo comes highly recommended. Watch performances from the can-can girls in the saloon and the spectacular acrobatics from the bad guys being chased on horseback by the sheriff and his men.
You can wander round the transport museum, cactus gardens, old mine works and Wild West town - keep your eyes peeled for the odd John Wayne look alike. There are lovely picnic spots, a restaurant as well as gift shops and snack bars dotted round the park.
If it all gets too much head for the huge pool and laze for a couple of hours in the sun before heading to the zoo. A mini train takes you to the top of the park so all you have to do is wander back down taking in the sights. Don't miss the Parrot show which is the most popular item with the children.
Both parks are open daily in high season and holidays but check before travelling. (Within 1 hrs drive from Cabrera, Cortijo Grande and Bedar. Head on E15/A7 towards Almeria and take the first Sorbas exit. Pass through Sorbas and just follow the Tabernas signs. Both parks are well signposted from the road.)